Deny

Friday, 10 July 09, 07:37 AM · Comments(1)

A good, now sadly deceased, friend of mine often used to say to me, "Where's the logic?" He used to say other things too like, "Me and you are gonna fall out in a minute". But that's okay, he was from Leeds, that's almost affectionate up there. Anyway, reading Joan Laporta's comments on Cesc, following Barcelona's admission of defeat in their attempt to sign Franck Ribery, or "Scarface" to use his more widely known moniker, he says a very curious thing, it reads like this:

"Ribery was a player we were interested in at a logical price but Bayern don't want to sell. If they are interested in selling, we are interested in buying but if not, then we will look to Fabregas. Compared to him there is no available alternative left in the market, so we will see what happens."

So, it seems clear that Barça won't be pestering Bayern, because Bayern don't want to sell Ribery. I was under the impression that both Arsenal and Cesc had made it clear that not only did Arsenal not want to sell, but Cesc didn't want to leave. But perhaps I was wrong, Laporta saying that there is "Compared to him (Cesc) there is no available alternative left in the market" clearly implies that Cesc is available. I don't think I did get it wrong, I just think that when you tell Barcelona "No", the powers that be hear "maybe". It looks like denial 430 will have to be forthcoming.

Andrey Arshavin will soon be registering 400+ denials of a future in the Nou Camp. Arshavin, who said he had fired Dennis Lachter last week, only for Lachter to insist he couldn't be fired and then, cheekily, went onto invite Barcelona to make a bid for Arshavin, has responded to that invite by saying that he is an Arsenal player and is only thinking about the new season. It's one of the more mouth watering prospects ahead of us, isn't it? A full season of Arshavin magic. I can't wait. It's interesting that he says he thinks the Premier League is the best league in the world and then says we will have to wait and see in the Champions League. Of course, his influence was a huge miss in the semi final of that competition last season and no doubt, there was nobody more frustrated about his inability to contribute than him. And Arsène Wenger perhaps.

Manuel Almunia reckons we need more than youth to compete next season. I reckon we need more than goalkeepers getting beaten from 40 yards out, on the touchline- or 50 yards out come to that. Harsh? Undoubtedly. In all seriousness, I think he's got a point, but I also think that when you look around the first choice XI, we have an excellent spread of experience within it. Central midfield, as we all know, could do with an addition, but nobody can tell me that the defence, the flanks and striking positions are filled by callow youths. They, most certainly, are not.

Silent Stan's voice may just be getting a little louder today, following his acquisition of 160 shares, which takes his percentage of shares to 28.58%. He gets ever closer to that 30% mark and just a couple of days after the board rejected Baron von Usmanov's rights issue too. Is this coincidence? I think not.

Cliff Bastin, Arsenal's all time record scorer, until a south London goal machine by the name of Ian Wright came along, and Frank McLintock, Arsenal's first "Double" captain have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. I'd provide a link, but I'm about out of time (it's on Arse.com).. obviously the two of them are hugely deserving of the honour. Although Cliff died quite a while ago, I'm made up for Frank. Less good news for two Arsenal old boys, Jermaine Pennant has signed for Real Zaragoza, whilst Jose Reyes' star has descended to the point of not being wanted by Atletico Madrid, or the club he spent last season on loan at, Benfica. There's a good article about that situation on the Guardian website.

Finally Sebastian Bassong says Arsenal have made an appproach for him, but it's complicated due to Newcastle's situation. Another centre back?

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